Pastelon De Platano
Pastelón de Plátano, often referred to as the Puerto Rican plantain lasagna, is a comforting blend of sweet and savory flavors that will transport your taste buds to the Caribbean. This family favorite layers tender, golden fried slices of ripe plantains with a hearty, seasoned ground beef filling infused with sofrito, tomato sauce, and aromatic spices like cumin and adobo. Topped with creamy mozzarella cheese and a light egg custard for structure, this baked casserole delivers a satisfying balance of sweetness from the plantains and rich umami from the savory beef. Perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings, this dish is as visually appealing as it is delicious. Serve warm and savor the irresistible fusion of textures and flavors! Keywords: Pastelón de Plátano, Puerto Rican plantain casserole, sweet and savory plantain recipe, Caribbean cuisine, plantain lasagna.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 ripe plantains
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 small, finely diced bell pepper
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp sofrito
- 0.25 cup (sliced, optional) olives
- 1 tsp adobo seasoning
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp (or to taste) salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 3 large (beaten) eggs
- 2 cups (shredded) mozzarella cheese
- cooking spray
Instructions
Peel the ripe plantains and slice them lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the plantain slices in batches until golden and tender (about 2-3 minutes per side). Remove and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Set aside.
In a separate large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the beef and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, sofrito, olives (if using), adobo seasoning, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Set aside.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
To assemble, layer the bottom of the baking dish with half of the fried plantain slices. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the plantain layer.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the beef. Top with the remaining plantain slices.
In a small bowl, beat the eggs and pour evenly over the top layer of plantains. The eggs will serve as a binder to hold the dish together.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
Bake the pastelón in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy this delicious sweet and savory dish!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4694 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 362.0 g | 464% | |
| Saturated Fat | 95.5 g | 478% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 136.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 986 mg | 329% | |
| Sodium | 5502 mg | 239% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 246.7 g | 90% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.3 g | 83% | |
| Total Sugars | 113.1 g | ||
| Protein | 156.7 g | 313% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.0 mcg | 20% | |
| Calcium | 1867 mg | 144% | |
| Iron | 20.8 mg | 116% | |
| Potassium | 5417 mg | 115% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
